ecc ram and non ecc ram mixed

[axsweb]

hi i got ecc ram and non ecc ram mixed in my computer. it boots fine and works but when right click my computer it only shows 512mb when i have 1gb. the bios shows 512mb. when i open cpu z it shows both ram sticks and both at 512mb. xp and bios shows 512mb. i am confused?

[DavidR]

If you have them mixed and you motherboard only supports one typ then it will only report one stick, e.g. the one it supports.

Though I'm surprised that it even boots as some MBs can baulk at mixing the two types.

CPU Z is a more detailed examination of your system than simply if it supports it, so it may well be able to see both sticks, that doesn't change the fact that the MB and consequently the BIOS only sees one stick.

[axsweb]

so this means my ram memory is 512mb not 1gb?

[DavidR]

Effectively yes, now you need to determine which is the correct memory and I would say it is more likely to be the non-ecc (error correction) memory.

Most MBs support non-ecc RAM and if it were the other way round I think it would make a big deal about it as ecc RAM is more costly than its non-ecc version.

[axsweb]

ok mate thanks. i think non ecc memory works
thanks for your help

[DavidR]

You're welcome.

RAM is relatively cheap now, especially the non-ecc stuff so you could get another stick.

[scythe944]

Though I'm surprised that it even boots as some MBs can baulk at mixing the two types./quote]

Yeah, I'm quite surprised that it boots...

A nice tool to figure out what memory your computer takes is to use the crucial online tool: http://www.crucial.com

Then, once you've found out exactly what memory you need, you can go to another online retailer such as http://www.newegg.com and find a better deal.

However, sometime purchasing RAM that is not specifically made for your computer may not work.  Crucial guarantees their memory will work in your system, however their price is usually a bit higher.  If you need to save some bucks, newegg is the way to go, but you won't "exactly" be guaranteed that the memory will work.

Basically:

Higher price / guaranteed compatibility / Crucial.com
Lower price / possibly not compatible (just do your research)/ newegg.com